Archive for the ‘aground’ Category

The grand British ocean liner the QE2 has run aground on her final voyage.

The ship ran aground at Brambles Turn near Calshot, Cunard, its owner, has confirmed. Witnesses suggested it may have suffered in strong winds.

In an effort to put the ship back on course, three tugs are attached to its stern, while a fourth is trying to attach itself to the ship’s bow.

By John Swaine
The Telegraph, London

Thousands of onlookers were expected at Southampton Water to wave goodbye to the QE2Photo: PA

The flagship cruise liner was set to make its final voyage later on Tuesday before becoming a floating hotel in Dubai.

It was due to sail through a cloud of one million poppies dropped from a Tiger Moth plane to mark Remembrance Day, and thousands of onlookers were expected at Southampton Water.

The Duke of Edinburgh was to lead the ceremonies, which also comprise a two-minute silence and fly-past by a Harrier jet. The occasion marks Prince Philip’s seventh visit to the vessel, which was launched by the Queen on the Clyde in Scotland in September 1967.

The Duke will meet the ship’s long-serving staff, as well as former captains of HMS Ardent, Antelope and Coventry – all ships that were lost in the Falklands war.

Guests will also watch a firework display before the liner, with whistle blasting, moves away from its home port for the last time.

The QE2 has sailed nearly six million nautical miles, gone round the world 25 times, crossed the Atlantic more than 800 times and carried more than 2.5 million passengers.